Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Three studies reported during the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology found that colorectal cancer patients whose tumors have mutated KRAS genes do not benefit from treatment with the EGFR-inhibitor Erbitux® (cetuximab).

At the same time, patients with tumors that aren’t aren’t mutated (wild-type) have significantly better results when Erbitux is added to either FOLFIRI or FOLFOX chemotherapy.

Two randomized trials of initial treatment of chemotherapy with or without Erbitux found responses and improved progression-free survival only in patients with wild-type KRAS. The CRYSTAL Phase III study compared FOLFIRI to FOLFIRI with the addition of cetuximab. The Phase II OPUS trial used FOLFOX as chemotherapy and compared FOLFOX to FOLFOX plus cetuximab. Neither found benefit for patients whose tumor had mutated KRAS.

However, both trials found that adding cetuximab to chemotherapy improved both tumor shrinkage (response rates) and the time until the cancer got worse (progression free survival) for people with wild-type KRAS.

Tumors can be tested for mutated KRAS before beginning treatment providing information that can help patients and doctors make better decisions about the right therapy for each individual.

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Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

A study presented during the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting showed that adding IV infusions of calcium and magnesium to oxaliplatin treatment reduced peripheral neuropathy.

Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin) is part of the FOLFOX treatments for colorectal cancer.  As doses accumulate, patients begin to experience tingling and numbness in their hands and feet.  Some patients will find it difficult to use their hands for small tasks like buttoning or will have problems with pain, balance or walking.  Often patients have to stop treatment before the full benefit is reached because of this difficult side effect. Read the rest of this entry »

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Some thoughts from Kate Murphy. . .

We’ve known for a long time that cancer isn’t one disease and that colorectal cancer isn’t one disease either.  Too often the only way to know if a treatment would work for a patient was to give it to them and wait.  Meanwhile, the patients struggled through side effects, not knowing if the treatment was going to really help or not.  And — even worse — lost valuable time that might have been spent with a more effective therapy.

Probably the most important theme at ASCO this year for colorectal cancer is that we now have real tools to target the right therapy to the right patient.

On Sunday at the Plenary Session — the big meeting for everyone where the most important cancer breakthroughs are discussed — Dr. Eric Van Cutsem presented the results of the Crystal trial with a special focus on KRAS. Crystal randomized patients who had not be treated for metastatic colorectal cancer before to FOLFIRI or FOLFIRI plus Erbitux® (cetuximab). Read the rest of this entry »

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Some thoughts from Kate Murphy. . .

A very full day at ASCO.  I began with by stopping for juice and a muffin in the Advocates’ Lounge, which is a special service provided by ASCO through their programs for people living with cancer via Cancer.Net. Advocate participation in the ASCO Annual Meeting is encouraged with scholarships, the Advocates’ Lounge, and special booth in the Exhibit Hall.

A somber but very meaningful first session on The Path to Self-Healing: Delivering Bad News designed to help oncologists learn how to help their patients find meaning in difficult diagnoses at the end of life included a wonderful documentary by Ruth Yorkin Drazen featured the life of Dr. Peter Morgan, a young oncologist with sarcoma.

“My spirits are soaring,” Dr. Morgan wrote in his diary the day that he returned to caring for patients on crutches and with a cap covering his mostly bald head.   Read the rest of this entry »

Update from 2008 ASCO Meeting in Chicago

Some thoughts from Kate Murphy . . .

I’m in Chicago for the 2008 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting.  It’s huge!  More than 30,000 doctors and researchers from all over the world here to find out about the latest cancer research.

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